Italian tennis star Jasmine Paolini received an unusual lucky charm from a spectator after winning her early morning match at the US Open on Wednesday. The 30-year-old, seeded 19th in the women's singles bracket, defeated fellow Italian Lucrezia Stefanini in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1, on Court 5.
After securing her spot in the next round, Paolini moved to the side of the court to sign autographs and meet supporters. A blonde woman wearing sunglasses approached the world No. 21 and produced a two-dollar bill.
Paolini initially believed the fan wanted her signature on the currency. Instead, the spectator explained that the banknote was a gift meant to bring good fortune during the tournament.
The spectator told Paolini that two-dollar bills are rare and represent good luck, advising the Italian player to keep the cash inside her tennis bag for the rest of her campaign. An inscription containing a good luck message had been written on the bill. Paolini held the gifted note up to the broadcast camera with a surprised look before packing it away.
A Surprise Gift on Court 5
Speaking to the New York Post after the match, Paolini expressed her gratitude and amusement regarding the unexpected encounter. "I thought it was a nice gift and she told me this was the lucky one," Paolini said. She added that the fan told her to keep it for herself, leading her to place it directly into her kit bag. "We'll see if it's going to work. That's the important thing," she said.
While two-dollar banknotes are often considered novelty items or symbols of luck, they remain legal tender issued by the United States government. Official figures show that approximately 1.7 billion two-dollar bills are active in the country. However, they are rarely seen in everyday transactions when compared to the total of 55.6 billion paper bills currently in circulation.
The second-round contest on Court 5 featured a tight opening set between the two Italian players. Paolini claimed the initial frame 6-4 when Stefanini hit a serve return into the net on set point. Building on that advantage, the world No. 21 cruised through the second set, conceding just one game to complete the 6-4, 6-1 victory.
Advancing at Flushing Meadows
The US Open, held annually at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, is the final Grand Slam event of the tennis season. Paolini previously matched her best career run in New York by reaching the Round of 16 in 2024. That same year, she achieved remarkable success on the major stage by reaching the women's singles finals at both Roland Garros in Paris and Wimbledon in London.
With her place in the third round now secured, Paolini will next face 16th seed Sorana Cîrstea of Romania as she aims to equal her personal best at Flushing Meadows.
